ALEK WINCED AT THE TONE of Cat's voice and closed his eyes for a moment. Damn it! He'd meant to mention it to her. A little voice in his head sang outyou're lying.

Alek opened his eyes. Cat still bowed low and now the other three girls joined her. An exasperated sigh escaped his lips and the four of them looked up, eyes alight with mischief, while his so-called friends gave him I-told-you-so looks as they stood back.

ALEK STEPPED TOWARD ME SO I straightened up ...